Uploaded on 2020-07-17 by Christina

I currently live in a small city that’s far removed from the “urban jungle”. But I’ve lived in Mississauga and Etobicoke, which are part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). The photo shows an area that runs directly parallel to Lake Ontario. The right foreground leads to a waterfront park, making this area much greener and cooler than most. You can see the green roofs (by-law mandated) and some green streetscaping in the foreground. Traffic is currently light due to COVID-19, but this road runs parallel to an 8-lane-plus expressway leading downtown. Rail lines are adjacent, both for commuter traffic and freight. Air traffic regularly flies overhead. The entire route is lined with closely packed condo towers. There’s ample concrete, asphalt, and glass. UHI at its best. Green roof by-laws are a start. I propose greater attention to treed streetscapes, vertical forests, and alternative transportation routes/models. Density is a necessity, but there should be by-laws limiting heights and distances between towers, as well as enforcing setbacks/stepped design to create more livable communities. Material choice and vertical forests would help minimise UHI. Toronto is part of C40 and the 15-minute city model. I look forward to the coming changes!